Joshua 22 explained: The Altar That Nearly Caused War

Joshua sends them home (vv. 1-9)

Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh had land east of the Jordan but had promised to fight beside the other tribes until all were settled, which took years. Joshua praises their loyalty, urges them to keep loving and serving the LORD, and sends them home rich, telling them to share the plunder with the families who stayed behind.

A large altar by the river (vv. 10-12)

Israel's law allowed sacrifices at only one central altar, which at this time stood at the sacred tent in Shiloh, so a second altar looked like starting a rival religion. Readers are unsure which bank of the river it stood on, but the alarm was strong enough that the other tribes gathered for war.

The accusation (vv. 13-20)

Phinehas, the high priest's son, and ten tribal leaders recall Peor, where Israelites worshiped another god and a plague followed, and Achan, whose theft brought disaster on everyone. They fear one group's unfaithfulness will bring punishment on the whole nation, yet they also offer to share their own land if the eastern tribes want to move west.

The eastern tribes explain (vv. 21-29)

Calling on God twice as a solemn oath, they insist the altar is a copy meant only as a reminder, never for sacrifices. They feared that one day the river would be treated as a dividing line and their children told they had no part in Israel's God.

Peace and a name (vv. 30-34)

The delegation is satisfied, the people praise God, and the talk of war ends. The altar's name declares it a witness between the tribes that the LORD is God, though the exact Hebrew wording of the name is uncertain in the surviving copies.

Key verse: Joshua 22:34

Something to think about

When have you assumed the worst about someone's actions, and what changed once you heard their side?